A political source revealed the
existence of secret pressures by political blocs to pass their candidates to
the new cabinet, pointing out that there is an agreement to keep Interior
Minister Qasim al-Araji in office.

The source said the political
blocs' support of the introduction of independent candidates for new
ministerial positions is only a show for media. However, they are secretly
exerting pressure on new Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi to pass their candidates
to the cabinet.

The Reform and Reconstruction Coalition and Building Alliance agreed on
keeping the Interior Minister post for the Badr parliamentary bloc headed by Araji.

Iraq’s president, Barham Salih, chose earlier on October Shia politician Abdul Mahdi to be the next prime
minister and form a government.